Trump is my friend, says Chinese President
Reuters, St Petersburg
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called U.S. President Donald Trump his friend and said he believed the United States was not interested in rupturing economic ties with China.
Speaking in the Russian city of St Petersburg at an economic forum, Xi said there were strong trade and investment connections between China and the United States.
Four Pak soldiers killed in roadside blast
Reuters, Peshawar
Four soldiers were killed and another four were wounded by a roadside bomb blast in a tribal area of northwestern Pakistan on Friday, in the latest attack in recent weeks in the restive North Waziristan region, officials said.
Security officials said the device was planted on a road in Khar Qamar, an area where security forces had recently conducted a search operation following a previous roadside bomb attack.
Hong Kong arrests 4 after bombs set off near police
AP, Hong Kong
Hong Kong police announced Saturday they have arrested four men in connection with two apparent gasoline bomb attacks on law enforcement. The arson cases occurred Friday, first near a police vehicle and then by a police station, said the Hong Kong government.
The attacks come as police brace for what is expected to be a major protest Sunday against proposed changes to Hong Kong’s extradition law that would allow some suspects to be sent to mainland China to face charges.
Philippines rejects call for UN rights council probe
AFP, Manila
The Philippines on Saturday rejected a call for an independent United Nations probe into Manila’s alleged human rights violations, describing it as interference in the affairs of the Asian nation.
UN rights experts asked the UN Human Rights Council on Friday to look into the “staggering number of unlawful deaths and police killings in the context of the so-called war on drugs, as well as killings of human rights defenders”.
France storm Miguel kills 3
AFP, Les Sables-d’Olonne
France was clearing up Saturday after a massive storm ripped across the country, leaving three dead and thousands of homes without electricity.
Three rescuers from the French ocean rescue service died Friday when their vessel capsized in rough seas as Storm Miguel pummelled the Atlantic coast.
Indian-American activist who shouted at Jeff Bezos arrested
PTI, Las Vegas:
Indian-American activist Priya Sawhney, who interrupted Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos” on-stage talk, has been arrested on trespassing and burglary charges, according to media reports.
Ms Sawhney, 30, rushed on stage during Amazon”s “re:MARS” event here on Thursday and asked Bezos to do something about “chicken farms”.
